Jon Stewart Tells No Jokes About Charleston Church Shooting

Jon Stewart can usually make jokes out of even the most sensitive news stories, but on Thursday night, the Daily Show host refused to treat the shooting in Charleston, South Carolina as fodder for comedy.

“I didn’t do my job today,” Stewart said on his decision not to write jokes for the opening monologue, “because of what happened in South Carolina.” He referred to his own fatigue in the chair, explaining, “Maybe if I wasn’t nearing the end of the run or this wasn’t such a common occurrence, maybe I could have pulled out of the spiral, but I didn’t. I honestly have nothing other than just sadness.”

The host criticized news media for calling the incident simply a “tragedy,” saying they are “already using the nuanced language of lack of effort for this. This is a terrorist attack. This is a violent attack on the Emanuel Church in South Carolina, which is a symbol for the black community.”

Stewart expressed hopelessness about racism in America, and particularly in Charleston. “The Confederate flag flies over South Carolina,” he said, “and the roads are named for Confederate generals — and the white guy’s the one who feels like his country is being taken away from him.”

See Charleston Come Together to Mourn Church Shooting Victims

People sing "We Shall Overcome" during a service at Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images

The Rev. Sidney Davis leads mourners during a community prayer service for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, at Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.

Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images

Mourners gather outside Morris Brown AME Church for a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

Brian Snyder—Reuters

Mourners hold hands as they pause outside Morris Brown AME Church during a vigil one day after a mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2015.

Brian Snyder—Reuters

Nine-year-old Liam Eller (R), helps officers move flowers left behind outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, South Carolina, June 18, 2015.

Brian Snyder—Reuters

Kim Hamby, right, prays with her daughter Kayla, 4, as they lay flowers at a makeshift memorial down the street from where a church shooting killed nine people in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

David Goldman—AP

People sit on the steps of the Morris Brown AME Church while services are held one day after the church shooting in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images

People wait outside of Morris Brown AME Church while services are held in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images

People gather outside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the street was re-opened a day after a mass shooting left nine dead during a bible study at the church in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

Brian Snyder—Reuters

Reverend Al Sharpton visits the memorial site at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church where nine people were murdered in Charleston, S.C., on June 18, 2015.

John Taggart—EPA

Mourners cast shadows on the walls and the makeshift memorial at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 18, 2015.

Brian Snyder—Reuters

Mourners light candles for the nine victims of the shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.